2. amps-preamps
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Sanders sound or parasound for big ESL's

Just wondering what you thought about either a pair of used JC-1 monoblocks to run big ESL's or a used Sanders/innersound amp. The JC-1-s can be had for around $3500 used, not sure about the sanders or innersounds.

I realize the Sanders has some pretty significant upgrades over the innersound and don't mean to start a Sanders vs. Innersound war. Both designed by the same person with the Sanders upgraded internally (the list is on his website). The Sanders gear isn't available used, or hardly ever because there just isn't that many units out there. Innersounds are easier to come by.

If anyone has had experience with either or both let me know. They would be used to drive A-1 Soundlabs. I don't have a preamp yet so I can match it to whatever amps I purchase.

Thanks in advance
lance_s

Showing 3 responses by ejlif

ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,377 posts
 
I own the JC-1s and have owned the 300 and 800 watt Innersound amps. The 300 watt Innersound is a great buy at around 1200 used. I think the 300 watt Innersound is just as powerful sounding as the 400 watt JC-1s. The JC-1s are sweeter and a little more magical. It would be a tough choice between the 800s and the JC-1s. If money is a factor then the 300 is the ticket I think. If I were setting up a system on a budget that would be my first choice in reasonably price high power solid state.
ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,377 posts
 
Lance, I had the Innersound speakers as well and I will add that I had trouble powering them with the 300 ESL. I could clip the amp fairly easy. Whenever I wanted to crank them up it was a real problem. I got the 800 monos and that mostly solved the problem. I never did listen to the Innersound Eros speakers with the JC-1s though as I ended up selling them because I could not live with the small sweet spot.
ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,377 posts
 
Lance if I had to guess I'd say the pair of ESL 300s (very similar I would think to the 800s) would sound more powerful and dynamic than the JC-1s. The JC-1s don't have the powerful character of most powerful amps I've tried, but I think they'd beat the ESLs in the just about every other way. To put it another way the JC-1s sound more lush. If you speakers are on the brighter side then the ESL 300 might? be to much of a good thing. The Innersound Eros speakers were what I would call dry sounding and clean and extended. I think the amp is sort of the same sound. I wish I would have tried the Eros with the JC-1s it seems like it could have been a good match.
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